Rollover Accidents

Georgia Rollover Accident Attorney

Rollover Accident Injury Claims

Rollover accidents are among the most violent and deadly types of motor vehicle crashes, accounting for a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities in Georgia. SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans with higher centers of gravity are particularly susceptible to rollover events. These crashes frequently involve product liability claims under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11.1 when a vehicle’s design—including its center of gravity, electronic stability control systems, or tire specifications—contributes to the rollover. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11, families of those killed in rollover accidents may pursue wrongful death claims, while survivors may seek compensation for catastrophic injuries including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and crush injuries.

Roof crush is one of the primary causes of death and catastrophic injury in rollover accidents. When a vehicle rolls over, the structural integrity of the roof determines whether occupants survive. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 216 sets minimum roof crush resistance standards, but many safety advocates argue these standards are insufficient. Under the crashworthiness doctrine recognized in Georgia, vehicle manufacturers have a duty to design roofs that protect occupants during foreseeable rollover events. When a roof collapses and intrudes into the passenger compartment—crushing occupants or causing ejection—the manufacturer may be liable under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11.1 for the enhanced injuries caused by the defective roof design.

Tire defects are a frequent contributing factor in rollover accidents. Tread separation, tire blowouts, and defective tire design can cause a driver to lose control, leading to a rollover. Under Georgia’s product liability laws codified at O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11.1, the tire manufacturer, distributor, and retailer may all bear strict liability for placing a defective tire into the stream of commerce. NHTSA tire recall data and the manufacturer’s own testing records are critical evidence in these cases. Attorney Jonathan Overman of Overbird Law works with tire failure experts and accident reconstructionists to establish the causal link between the defective tire and the rollover crash.

Rollover accident claims in Georgia often involve multiple liable parties, including the vehicle manufacturer, tire manufacturer, parts suppliers, and negligent third-party drivers. Georgia’s comparative fault system under O.C.G.A. § 51-11-7 apportions liability among all at-fault parties, and a plaintiff may recover damages as long as their own fault does not exceed 49%. Punitive damages under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1 may be available when a manufacturer knew about a rollover defect and failed to correct it or warn consumers. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, with a ten-year statute of repose for product liability claims under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11(c). Contact Overbird Law in Newnan at (678) 251-8575.